[June 25, 2014]SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department
of Agriculture intends to treat about 38,000 acres at nine sites in
northern Illinois next week for the destructive gypsy moth.

Infested sites will receive an application of pheromone, a
sexual attractant that disrupts the mating of the moth. The
pheromone will be aerially-applied, weather permitting,
beginning Monday, June 30. Impacted counties include Boone,
Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, Stephenson, Will and
Winnebago.

The gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feasts on more than 250
species of trees and shrubs, but prefers oak leaves. Large
populations are capable of stripping plants bare, leaving them
vulnerable to secondary insect and disease attacks. Severe
defoliation also can cause tree death.

The moth obtained its name because the female, which cannot fly,
occasionally will lay her eggs on not only trees, but also
moveable objects like cars, campers, firewood, grills and
backpacks. When these items are moved, the eggs ride along like
a nomadic gypsy, transporting the moth to a new location.

Maps of the treatment sites are posted on the department’s website
at www.agr.state.il.us. Simply click on “Gypsy Moth” under “Hot
Topics” in the middle of the homepage. Funding for the treatments
comes from the Slow the Spread program, a joint local, state and
federal effort to reduce and control the spread of the Gypsy Moth.